Welcome to Karunai Illam Trust
The Karunai Illam Trust is a New Zealand incorporated charitable trust. It was set up to support the work of the late Jean Watson, a Wellington writer, who in 1987 established a children’s home in the rural town of Nilakottai, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The home called Karunai Illam is simply known as the Illam.
Our Illam provides a home away from home for about 50 young girls and boys. Many of the children come from single parent families who are unable to financially support their children. They reside at the Illam during the term time and are fully supported with their schooling, residential and extra curricular activity costs met by the Trust.